Chapter 55: The Shadow of the Neighboring Nation
A decisive clash between Zenon and the military.
News of the incident threw a fresh spark into the noble society of the royal capital.
The nobles who already bore resentment toward Zenon because of his financial reforms…
They now found the kingdom’s military—the strongest possible “anti-Zenon” faction—aligning with their interests, and they began gathering again beneath the surface.
The atmosphere in the capital grew more ominous by the day.
However, Zenon paid absolutely no attention to these domestic disturbances.
His gaze was no longer directed solely within the kingdom.
Having gained access rights to all information as the Kingdom’s Financial Advisor, he spent his time in his office devouring top-secret diplomatic documents and intelligence reports that only high-ranking nobles had seen before.
“…I see.”
He flicked a piece of parchment with his finger.
It was the latest intelligence report from the neighboring Galian Empire.
It stated that the empire had been rapidly modernizing its military over the past few years:
- Introduction of new steelmaking techniques
- Mass production of standardized crossbows
- Large-scale tactical research into offensive magic by the Imperial Mage Corps
Every one of these fields was one in which the Kingdom of Berstein lagged far behind.
“…Just as I thought.”
Zenon murmured.
At this rate, the military balance between the two countries would collapse completely within ten years.
If the empire launched a serious invasion, the kingdom’s antiquated knightly forces would be effortlessly crushed.
The “pride of knights” that Marshal Gerhardt and the others spoke of would be no more than scraps of paper before modern weaponry.
But that wasn’t the only problem.
As Zenon read further, the blue of his eyes sharpened.
“…What’s this?”
At the bottom of the report, in small handwriting, was a troubling note:
“…In recent years, there have been unconfirmed reports of increasing attempts within the empire to contact His Highness Prince Alphonse of Berstein. Behind these movements, the shadow of Imperial Chancellor Duke Gerhardt can be seen…”
Prince Alphonse and the Imperial Chancellor.
The inappropriate relationship Zenon exposed five years after the fact during the royal inquiry.
The possibility that it might still be continuing beneath the surface.
(…The worst possible scenario.)
Zenon clasped his fingers and began to think.
If the currently suspended Prince Alphonse was colluding with the empire…
This would be far more than a simple military threat.
It would be a betrayal capable of collapsing the kingdom from within.
Alphonse had been utterly crushed by Zenon.
His pride must have been torn to shreds.
If the empire whispered sweetly to his wounded ambition—
“Join us. Remove Zenon. Become the true king of this country.”
—then the pure but stubborn prince might very well accept.
(…But this is still speculation. No definitive proof.)
Zenon cooled his thoughts.
It was not yet time to act.
But he stored the information as a major national security risk.
And as if to confirm his fears—
A few days later, shocking news struck the kingdom.
A patrol squad of the Royal Knights in the northern border region had been attacked and wiped out by an unidentified armed group.
“Unidentified… you say?”
In the emergency military council, the king’s voice was severe.
“Yes, Your Majesty,”
Marshal Gerhardt answered bitterly.
“There were no survivors. But judging from the arrowheads left at the scene and the enemy’s tactics… it is highly likely that they were a special operations unit of the Galian Empire.”
The room tensed.
This was no minor skirmish.
It was a deliberate military provocation.
A possible prelude to war.
“Strengthen the border defenses immediately! Dispatch the First Legion north!”
The pro-Alphonse military nobles roared.
But Zenon cast a cold glance over their impulsive outburst.
“Please wait.”
His calm voice extinguished the frenzy in the council room.
“This is a trap.”
“…What?”
“The enemy’s goal is to lure our main forces to the northern border. Then they will invade from another, weakened point. A classic but effective diversion tactic.”
Zenon pointed at the tactical map.
“The attack occurred in rugged mountains—unsuitable for moving large armies. If they intended a real invasion, they would come from the central plains instead.”
“Then what do you suggest!?”
General Gustav barked in frustration.
“You expect us to simply ignore the enemy’s provocation!?”
“No.”
Zenon shook his head.
“We must not take the bait—but we must prepare.”
He picked up a pen and drew new lines on the map.
“Strengthen coordination between all border fortresses. Tighten the information network and monitor every enemy movement. Do not move the main forces; instead, gather them here in the central area. This allows rapid deployment in any direction—east, west, south, or north.”
It was Zenon’s military theory put into practice:
A flexible strategy maximizing information and mobility.
The generals couldn’t argue.
Emotionally, they wanted to reject him.
But their instincts as soldiers recognized his flawless logic.
The king nodded deeply.
“…We will adopt Zenon’s plan. All military forces are to follow his directives.”
And with those words—
Zenon effectively gained control over the kingdom’s military.
The military elders bit their lips in humiliation.
But with the fate of the nation at stake, they had no choice.
A dark shadow crept along the border between the Kingdom of Berstein and the Galian Empire.
Zenon’s unwanted battle now surpassed domestic political strife—and was heading toward the grandest and most irrational stage of all: war between nations.
And within that shadow…
Zenon alone clearly recognized the identity of the unseen enemy pulling the strings.